FEATURE| What Blue actually wants us to gain genuinely?

FEATURE| What Blue actually wants us to gain genuinely?

by: Karrie Anne C. Langit

For 25 years, this adorable blue-spotted puppy named Blue has been a massive part of so many people's childhoods.

From sneaking into Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper’s kitchen to get a snack to skidoo into painting the moon, stars, and different planets. Blue and her owner Steve truly made our childhoods worthwhile.

As we grow up, so does the world around us. So much confusion, sickness, pain, suffering, loss, and sadness has made the world we live in lose its color and sheen.

Thanks to the 25th-anniversary video where Steve checks upon us, it felt like the kind of talk that our generation needed.

While some smiled at the sight of seeing Steve after leaving the show for so long, others couldn't help but an ugly cry when he uttered the words, "I have never forgotten about you." That honestly hit different, especially what we are all dealing through right now.

Which brings me to the question, if Blue could talk, what do you think she could tell us?

Well, get your handy dandy notebooks and crayons because there is only one way to find out. We need to play Blue's Clues to figure out what blue wants to tell us.

1st Clue: Scrapbook A.k.a. Memories

Since the show aired on Nick jr. on September 8, 1996, Blue's Clues has garnered many young and old fans.

Many kids who are now adults have so many fond memories of the show. These memories make them miss the good old days.

Recel F. Calaunan, Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, said, "My favorite memory of the show "Blue's Clues" is Steve's notebook. I remember my younger self using this small notebook of mine, and whenever Steve draws in his notebook, I draw too."

"My favorite memory of the show Blue's clues is when I wake up every morning, our TV is already turned on cause my parents are watching the news. But the moment I wake up they immediately change the channel to Nick Jr. where all my childhood TV shows are especially Blue's clues because I admire that dog so much and how Steve interacts and make my morning fun. I remember I had toys like Blue the Dog, Tickety Tock, and Steve's notebook." This is what Ira Asuncion, a 3rd Year AB Mass Communication student, shared with us when it comes to her favorite memory.

When asked about Ira's favorite memory, Katrina V. Meneses also recalls her childhood memory when she was in Preparatory. "My favorite memory would have been around those times in Preparatory. Blue's Clues was very influential among children ages 3 years old that my Preparatory school installed this Blue's Clues game, I believe it was Blue's Clues Art Time Activities for the class to play with. We were influenced to create the following activities during our free time as well, picking up the trashes that we see could turn into "art."

Did you know? One of the producers and co-creators of Blues clues is responsible for Blue's voice. Traci Page Johnson has played the Blue puppy since 1996. She ran around the studio and asked if anyone knew how to bark, and then they decided that she should voice Blue.

Unlike most kids' shows during the 90s and early 2000s, Blue's Clues encouraged its tiny audience to join the colorful home of Steve.

Where there's an adventure in every corner, even in mundane situations like reading bedtime stories or spending the holidays with your loved ones.

A lot of those kids who watched the show when it aired are now all grown up. They continued their studies in college and are now off to solve more problems. However, as they grew up, the problems might have started to catch up in ways we didn't expect.

2nd Clue: Unfinished Puzzle Set a.k.a. “Problems

To no one's surprise, the problems we face have evolved. From Helping Magenta decide a costume for Halloween to the increased tuition fee. From determining what experiment blue wants to make to try to solve Climate change. From helping Magenta get glasses to the increasing social unrest and racism.

It's not just the big problems we face; there are also personal demons, like the wave of anxiety you feel when taking a quiz or exam. Facing online bullying over a slight mistake or just expressing who you indeed are.

The cloud of depression that weighs heavy on our heads because of the unpredictable nature of the world we're living. Yes, there have been a ton of sad and distressing moments that make us feel like we could never finish our puzzle set.

However, there was this one episode that had a massive impact on a lot of kids watching it now with a broad perspective, and it's called "Blue Gets Frustrated.

After getting the following clues: sink, water, and a toothbrush, it was confirmed that Blue had difficulty reaching her toothbrush. So Steve and the viewer suggested that Blue gets a stool to help her reach it, and just like that, the problem was solved.

The world is filled with things that can frustrate us these days. Instead of running from the stressor, blaming yourself, or letting that negative energy overcome you, Steve teaches us mindfulness, which isn't taught in schools, let alone preschool. It's done by stopping whatever you are doing, take a few deep breaths, and give yourself time to clear your mind to think better.

As quoted by a YouTuber named Phantomstrider: "We can't always see the right answer when our heads are clouded by anger, misery, frustration or grief. But when we manage to find that calm, we can do things with more clarity and a better understanding of the right thing to do."

Digesting and simplifying the show effectively is the most important and memorable lesson both kids and adults could learn.

Yes, these problems may seem complex at first, but things like this take time to get right; all you have to do is use your mind and take a step at a time, just like Steve and Joe taught us. Once our minds are clear and we find the right pieces, we will eventually finish our Puzzle.

3rd Clue: Thank You Card A.k.a. Gratitude and Lessons Learnt

As much as we want to be kids forever and join Steve and Joe on their many adventures, there is nothing permanent in the world except for change.

Through those days when we watched Blue and the host, we learned a lot more than just our ABCs and 123's. The show taught us things that we didn't realize could help us, especially during college. For Katrina,

"The show helped me not only in some areas of decision making but more on looking for efficient ways to produce an outcome, with the available materials I have. In my field of studies as an Education student, I try to sync the idea that learning is best when you interact with your learners. similar to how Blue's Clues was able to get their young viewers' engagement."

In the case of Ira, the show taught her to look not just with her eyes but with kindness, gentleness, patients, and self-control.

As for Recel: "The show helped me navigate college life by teaching me the value of "finding clues" before jumping to conclusions. It has helped me even with the little things, such as making decisions or identifying the key terms in a test question to help me find the best answer."

Thanks to the adventures of Blue and her friends, kids nowadays can learn a lot about the fundamentals and how to take things step by step before making up their conclusions. It teaches them to trust the process.

The reboot now named "Blue's clues and You" rekindles and ignites the love for the show to the new generation. And with a host named Joshua Dela Cruz, who looks just like us.

Chances are kids would be able to see themselves reflected on TV. It would have a significant impact on many generations. "Now it's time for so long, but we'll sing just…… Wait, I think Blue has something to say:

Blues Message to You:

Hi, it's nice to see you again. I'm so glad that you came. You know, I love the fact that you came into my life when we were younger.

Every time I would leave out clues for Steve and Joe to figure out, it would make my heart filled with joy, and you were very clever when it came to solving those clues.

I even miss our playdates with Tickety Tock, Slippery Soap, Mailbox, and everyone else. It just makes me smile, and I'm glad you enjoyed all of those memories we had together.

However, I am devastated sad when Steve decided to go off to college, making me feel sad. But I realized that I needed to remain hopeful that one day Steve would return to see me again after I was well taken care of by Joe and during those days.

Look, I know that things have been tough for everyone lately. Things like college, Thesis, graduation, a future career, and family could be very daunting at first but look how far you have come.

You have gone from helping me with my snacks to being where you are now. I'm so happy that you took my advice after all these years, like using your mind, taking a step at a time, and eventually, you can do anything you want. So for that, Congratulation for making it this far.

All I can say is I'm so happy with the person that you are right now. You have been a massive part of my life and mean so much to me. Oh, one more thing, just so you know, never forget about you Thank you for being a good friend. I'll see you soon.

Graphics by: Jasmine Bernadette Bembo